I'll be in DC for business in the middle of March and I'm trying to make some dinner plans around meetings. I have a good map (Streetwise) but can't really tell what the terrain is like or how long it will actually take or how safe it is to walk or metro between certain spots so I'm hoping for some help from folks who live/work there and know the area well.

First, if I leave the National Gallery when it closes at 5:00 on a Thursday, what's the best way (other than cab)to get to Marcel's restaurant at 2401 Pennsylvania Ave off Washington Circle. I will have a 5:45 reservation and enjoy walking but it looks like it would be a longer than a 45 minute walk. Anyone know about how long it would take to walk from the gallery to Washington Circle and if it's feasible during rush hour traffic time?

The other option looks like blue line metro from Federal Triangle to Washington Circle. About how long does that take at rush hour? Is there a better option I'm missing?

Secondly, would it be crazy to try to walk from Marcel's to 20th and G in Foggy Bottom and how long a walk is that? I can't tell if walking through/across Washington circle would be doable. Isthere a sidewalk along Pennsylvania Ave? It would be about 7:45 in the evening and I would be a woman alone. Does it make more sense to take a cab?

My last question (at least for now) is about cab fare. About how much for a cab ride from the Omni Shoreham (Zoo area) to Central Restaurant (Pennsylvania and 11th)on a Sunday evening. And if, instead, I take the red line metro from the Shoreham to Metro Center, how long a walk(time wise)and is it safe to walk alone from there to Central restaurant. It looks like it's only a few blocks from the metro but I can't tell how big the blocks are and I don't know what the area is like, especially on a Sunday evening when I would be there.

Thanks for your help!

The easiest way would take either the Blue or Orange line at Federal Triangle to Foggy Bottom and walk about five minutes. It would be too long a walk. Some will suggest various buses, but I think the Metro is easier. You could also walk across the Mall and catch the Orange or Blue line at L'Enfant Plaza. It's a short Metro ride.

That cab ride would probably by about $8-9 on Sunday. Metro Center is perfectly safe and would be perfectly fine on a Sunday night if you decide to take the Metro. Central is near a number of other restaurants, as well as hotels and theatres. It is probably a three-block walk and doable

Thanks Mike. And how long to walk from Marcel's to 20th and G? Is it best to walk down Penn (is there a sidewalk) to 20th or through George Washington U world? Does it matter?

I can't really help too much, but www.hopstop.com is helpful for the walking/Metro questions.

I'd be shocked if Penn. Ave. didn't have a sidewalk on that side of the White House. There's a sidewalk on this side of the White House all the way down.

Yup, we got sidewalks and everything here nowadays!

Just walk down Pennsylvania to 20th St and turn right. It's easier to walk around Washington Circle rather than cross the traffic into and out of the circle.

If the evening is nice, it's a simple walk. You can either follow Pennsylvania to 20th and then head south to G. Or you can cut through GWs campus.

While those of us who live in DC talk about the GW "campus," it is really not a traditional campus in the sense that it has definite boundaries and big grassy areas. It is just in the neighborhood on the city streets.

Here is a taxi fare calculator:
http://citizenatlas.dc.gov/atlasapps/taxifare.aspx

Also, there is a good trip planner at www.wmata.com

Ruff is correct about the GW "Campus" It's a little like the NYU "Campus."

That said, there will be more people mulling around "on campus" in the evening than on Pennsylvania Ave., altho both are perfectly safe.

Thanks for the great info.Those websites will be invaluable for this trip. I'll report back on the hotel (Omni Shoreham) and restaurants (Marcels, Palena's and Central) when I get back in mid-March.